Thomas Lee Mcpherson

Thomas Lee McPherson, CDR, USN, Ret.Portsmouth, RI - Thomas Lee McPherson CDR, USN, Ret., 64, of Portsmouth, RI, died Saturday, December 20, 2008.CDR McPherson was the husband of Maralyn Cotner McPherson. Born in Glendale, CA, on February 22, 1944, he was the son of the late Arch Allen and Evelyn Terry McPherson of Cutler, California. He was raised on their family farm in this San Joaquin Valley agricultural community.CDR McPherson entered the Navy in 1965. He commenced flight training at Naval Air Station NAS Pensacola and received his wings at NAS Glynco, GA. In 1967, he reported to fighter squadron 143 VF-143, which was deployed to the Tonkin Gulf on the USS CONSTELLATION. After two Vietnam cruises and 180 combat missions, he was assigned to VF-121as an F-4 Phantom Instructor. Later, in VF-213, he made one combat cruise in Vietnam 150 missions and one peacetime cruise aboard the USS KITTY HAWK. CDR McPherson was later assigned to Pacific Missile Test Center, Pt. Mugu, CA as Project Officer for Production Testing on the Sidewinder, Sparrow and Phoenix missiles, flying the F-4 and F-14 aircraft. He attended the US Naval War College and later served on the Seventh Fleet Staff aboard USS BLUE RIDGE in Yokosuka, Japan. After joining VF-111 as Executive Officer on USS CARL VINSON, he took command of that squadron in December 1984. CDR McPhersons decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, 21 Air Medals, four Navy Commendation Medals, and two Navy Achievement Medals.After his retirement in January 1987, he moved to RI to take a position with Sonalysts, Inc., where he was employed until his passing. For more than 12 years, he assisted the Naval War College with a series of global and other war games. In recent years, he has assisted the Department of Homeland Security and private corporations in conducting war games and strategic planning.Besides his wife, he is survived by a son Nicholas Lee McPherson of Raleigh, NC, a daughter Claire Allison McPherson of San Diego, CA, and a sister Sally McPherson and her husband Charlie Nares of San Diego, CA., and nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late John Allen McPherson.A memorial service will be held on December 27, 2008, at 2:00 pm in United Congregational Church, 524 Valley Road, Middletown. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery in the Spring. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to United Congregational Church, 524 Valley Road, Middletown, RI, 02842, or to Home Hospice Care Of Rhode Island, 169 George Street, Pawtucket, RI, 02860.